The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, January 30, 1996, Page 9, Image 9
The Magi
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saying "it's now or never," Magie
Johnson ended a retirement of more
than four years Monday to play agaii
for the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he
led to five NBA championships during
the 1980s.
Johnson, 36, left the game suddenly
on Nov. 7,1991, just before the start o
the 1991-92 season after learning he
had tested positive for the virus tha
causes AIDS.
He returned the following year, onh
to retire aeain after a handful o
exhibition games. That comeback wai
cut short when several players anc
others connected with the NB/
complained about competing agains
someone who had the AIDS virus.
There have been several aborte(
Johnson comebacks since then, an<
several other speculated comebacks
Johnson continually changed his mine
and finally, last summer, said he woul<
never return.
But Johnson changed his mind again
and displaying his characteristic smile
said that he was so excited abou
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returning to the game that he "couldn't
7 sleep for the last two or three nights."
[ "Last night, I was just going crazy,"
Johnson said.
"I want my (3-year-old) son to see
' me play, right here in the NBA."
' Johnson signed a contract for the
remainder of the season and will play
his first game back against the Golden
State Warriors on Tuesday night at the
^ Forum.
Johnson, who said he's 27 pounds
heavier than when he played his last
^ game on June 12, 1991, has been
3 practicing with the Lakers on and off
j for about two weeks and will play mostly
^ at a forward spot.
He also admitted that he's five steps
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Johnson said.
"I know it's going to take me some
time, Fm not in NBA shape. It's going
to take me a month or two. This team
has other people. It's not like I have to
come in and dominate."
Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics star
who was Johnson's friend and main
rival during the 1980s, said he didn't
believe Johnson would be "at the form
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he was back when he was 28 in the mid'80s,
but he's still a very good basketball
player.
1 think he'll make a big improvement
for them," Bird said.
Johnson added: "I know what to do,
I know what not to do. I still know how
to play this game."
That was obvious in practice.
Following the lormal drills, Johnson
spent some time shooting long jumpers.
At one point, he made nine straight and
10 of 11. All swished through the basket,
barely rippling the nets.
Laker spokesman Bob Steiner said
at the time of Johnson's announcement
Monday morning, about 2,300 tickets
remained for the game. They were sold
within a matter of hours, thus assuring
the Laker's second sellout in 22 home
games this season.
The third sellout will be Friday night
in Johnson's second game back when
the Lakers face Michael Jordan and the
rampaging Chicago Bulls.
"It's now or never," Johnson said.
Tm 36. If this is the last hurrah, so be
it, if if s next year, well see.
"I think now is the perfect time,"
10-9:30 pm
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Student M
Applications
4th Floor, Ruj
For more infc
777.1184
Tuesday, January 50,1994
asketball
speaking to reporters after practice
Monday at Loyola Marymount
University. "They're (the Lakers)
committed to winning. It helps ease my
comeback.
"They don't have to fit in with me,
I have to fit in with them. I can do that.
I can help this team. I'm coming in
tiptoeing, trying to learn the system
and learn the guys. We have a chance
to do something special."
NBA commissioner David Stem said
he was happy Johnson was back.
"Even after his retirement from the
NBA, he continued to bring joy to millions
of fans around the world through his
global travels," Stem said. "We're pleased
that he has decided to once again
showcase to NBA fans his talent and
unique enthusiasm for the game."
Johnson said he was "not worried"
about experiencing the kind of negative
reaction he received during his abortive
1992-93 comeback.
Tm calm, Fm not worried if there's
criticism or not," he said. Tm at peace
with myself."
Can You...
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more information to gn
scheduled for applicani
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functions & goals of th<
conclusion of this meet
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must be classified as
Applications are also avail
located in the Campus A
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Athletes' GPA r
Staff Reports *
USC student-athletes earned a
2.692 overall GPA for the 1995 fall
semester, the highest GPA recorded
in the last five fall grade reports.
Forty percent of USC's student
athletes earned a 3.0 or better last
semester. Of the 347 student athletes,
140 earned a 3.0 or above.
Included in that list were 62
individuals named to the Dean's List
(3.5 GPA or higher/3.25 or higher for
freshman) and eight student-athletes
who earned a 4.0 GPA, meriting a
spot on the President's List. *
The department's cumulative GPA,
Brothers & Sisters
lallenge Of Making
' For Excellence?
The Minority Assistan
yr the Minority Assistance Peer proj
led to attract, orient, retain, & enricl
inority freshmen. Because there is so t
asp, a M.A.P information session has
s on January 31, 1996 at 6:15pm ir
sssion will further explain the purj
i Minority Assistance Peer Program. I
ing, applications will be available for
I a M.A.P. is a 23 GPR or better &
a rising sophomore, junior, or sei
able at the Office of Multicultural
activities Center, Russell House, 1
adline Date is Friday February
>re information, please call IT
lasses, done several
these four (or so) y
s you the opportunit
to make their part-t
and something to Sc
[kino npns
9
ises in Fall '95
which indicates the overall GPA of a
student's entire academic history, has
risen from a mark of 2.598 in 1991.
A total of seven USC athletic teams
posted a 2.9 GPA or better for the Ml.
The women's golf team led all teams
with a 3.178 GPA, followed by women's
soccer (3.147), women's track (3.008),
women's tennis (2.999), men's
swimming (2.990), baseball (2.916)
and men's tennis (2.902).
Also, seven football players
graduated in December, including
fullback Stanley Pritchett, who
graduated in 31/2 years with an overall
3.0 GPA. The football team plans to
graduate six more players in May.
?
irtment
tfe're looking
orward to
hearing
from
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A Difference?
ice Peer Team!
SHH
Jpon |K|HhSi3
your
you ft
nior. mjMMJM
Let a MA.P. be your guide.
I Student Affairs, which is
West Wing, Lower Level,
19,1996 at 5:00pm.
'-7716. W&
projects and
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